With energy prices on the rise, more housebuyers are opting to purchase new-build properties – according to a Chelmsford-based housebuilder.
Vistry Eastern – part of the Vistry Group which incorporates Bovis Homes, Linden Homes and Vistry Partnerships – has seen a surge in enquiries at its housing locations across Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and Essex from buyers keen to make savings on their energy bills.
Figures reveal that Vistry’s properties score a B rating on the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) scale, compared to the average D rating of an older home. The EPC rating is an energy efficiency scale, with A being the most efficient and G being the least.
Jason Colmer, sales and marketing director for Vistry Eastern, said: “Rising fuel bills are a major concern for households at the moment, particularly after the UK energy price cap increased by 54 per cent in response to rising global gas prices*, and the announcement that this cap will rise again in October.
“This has accelerated the already growing demand for our new homes, which are typically more energy efficient – and therefore cost less to heat – than older properties.
“For instance, on average our homes have an EPC rating of 84, which is equivalent to a B rating, whereas a typical Victorian home will operate between 60 – 70 equalling a C or D rating.
“This disparity in energy efficiency is largely down to our properties being designed to comply with key Government building regulations, meaning they are highly insulated and draught-proof with modern heating systems and high-performance glazing.
“As well as the cost-saving benefits, energy efficient homes are also better for the environment as they emit fewer carbon emissions and therefore help to lessen the effects of climate change.”
With fuel bills on the rise, Vistry has come up with a few top tips on how people can save energy at home:
1. Turn off lights
Though it’s the most obvious step we can take to reduce our energy usage, it’s one that many of us forget to do. Turning the light off when you leave a room can save you around £20 a year on your energy bills***. Replacing the lights in your home with LED bulbs can also help you to reduce costs.
2. Be careful with the kettle
Most of us fill the kettle to the top when making a cup of tea or coffee – which is causing us to waste around £68 million worth of energy a year as a country***. Avoiding overfilling the kettle is therefore an easy yet effective way of reducing energy consumption.
3. Do fewer (yet fuller) laundry loads
Rather than doing small laundry loads here and there on half-settings, it is recommended to do fuller wash loads less often. It’s also advised to use your washing machine on a 30-degree cycle instead of higher temperatures for extra energy saving.
4. Avoid standby mode
Electrical appliances like TVs continue to use energy unless they’re switched off at the wall. By turning these off at the wall and avoiding standby mode, you can save yourself around £55 per year****
5. Unplug your chargers
Continuing to charge a device when it’s already at full power wastes a lot of energy. By getting out of the habit of over-charging, you will not only prolong the battery life of your devices, but will save yourself £60 a year on electricity bills.****
Sources:
* https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/comment/retrofit-to-the-rescue-75341
*** https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/hub/quick-tips-to-save-energy/
**** https://www.britishgas.co.uk/the-source/greener-living/energy-saving-habits.html
